HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABE!!!

I just had to put the truck on again since it is his birthday present, and it's pretty funny! But I had this photo of him as a child on his birthday that Bryce had email a long time ago. I think is just as adorable today at 28 year old! We love ya, honey!

And as Richard would sing, "Happy birthday you to, Daddy. Happy birthday you to."

Finally! A nice smile!

This is the first time in months that I've been able to get a normal smile out of him for the camera. Isn't he so handsome?!

I couldn't get her to look at me, she was watching Richard. But she loves to sit in his chair and play.

Flower Power!

I just received this headband and flowers for Hannah's Easter outfit. Richard loved them and had to have a "green bow" in his hair. Doesn't it look great with the football shirt and breadstick?! He loves to do what Mom and Hannah do, and Hannah loves to do what Richard does. They have a lot of fun together.

Richard was getting dressed today. He is obsessed with his underware and decided to put on a grey pair along with 3 white pairs. I couldn't resist! He makes me laugh all day!

My little Hannah is getting into everything! Yesterday she got into the book cabinet and began pulling them out onto the floor. Later in the day she found this bag of pretzels Richard was snacking on and dumped them all over the floor. Then she ate those that were left in the bag. Silly girl!

Hannah thinks she is a big girl now and no longer wants to play with her own toys. Now she conquers Richard's. I totally did not pose her for these, except to help her on the seat. And they were taken in this order. What a silly little angel.

We stopped by to see Grandpa today. It's so good to have Bryce and Donnell back in the state. I know they are happy to be here, too. Richard loves going fishing with his Grandpa and Daddy.

Chris's new project!

We got up about 7:30 this morning to pick this fine piece of machinery up in Tooele. Chris bought it for his birthday this month. It does have a good engine and transmission so he is going to piece it back together and sell it. He has found quit a passion in fixing up beat up trucks or parting them out. He's made some decent money doing it too. As long as he's happy I don't really care.

Although we only have a few days left of February, we spent some time today in the yard raking leaves. Our huge tree in the front yard tends to hold onto it's leaves until Dec-Jan. It make the yard a mess, but today was beautiful. A few neighbors on the street were out today doing the same thing. Well here are a few candids of the kids playing outside. I have spring fever big time!!! :)

These little ones are full of life and fun. Chris took the photo of the kids with make-shift drums they put on their heads. The other, obviously, is Hannah in Richard's Tonka dump truck. He pushed her around in that for about 10 minutes. He had fun and Hannah giggled and screamed the whole time. They love each other so much and have tons of fun together.

http://www.standard.net/live/features/tx/125917/
This link goes to an article from the Standard Examiner that was done on the OWATC's culinary arts program. Chris is quoted and several of his students were. This is the second article in 6 months they have run on the program, and they did a live edition with Chris doing a vegetarian cooking class. I am so proud of him. He has really turned the program around!

This photo of the kids absolutely defines their personalities: Richard's says, "I'm not getting into trouble" or "What am I missing out on?", and Hannah's says, "I'm a beautiful angel." I love these kids! They are both my angels.

Valentine's was nice this year. Richard picked out Spiderman and Hannah Montana cards to send to a few friends and his cousins from Hannah and himself. Donnell found them darling piggy banks, which I have looked all over for, that Richard loves putting money in for Disneyland. Chris sent me a gorgeous bouquet of roses and a sweet note. And Jaxon Layton's mom dropped by Valentines for Richard and Hannah. He thought that was pretty cool. But here is a picture of my flowers and the kids having fun with them.

My wonderful husband has been appointed as chairman for the sate wide Skills USA competition for culinary arts. He has his first meeting tonight. I am so proud of Chris and how well he is doing with his passion of cooking. He has brought the OWATC so far from where they were 2 years ago and is continuously looking for new things to add to his program. Chris has been very involved with the Utah chapter of the ACF and gets his students involved as well. His colleages and boss find him priceless. I am so proud of him!

Hardware Ranch

We met up with Mark and Lisa and their kids yesterday at Hardware Ranch to see all the elk and go for a sleigh ride. It was so much fun. Mark and I used to go as kids with our family but I haven't been on the sleigh ride for many years. Chris and I are up there often to scout for deer, we even drove up last winter to see the elk, but didn't go on the ride. It was really fun. Luckily it wasn't too cold, but we still had to bundle up.

Richard stayed dry the whole trip. He even went to the urinal with Chris. He is getting better about staying dry. Pooping is a whole new story. Anyway, here a few pictures of our adventure. Richard had a really good time, but was being shy and didn't want anyone to see the smiles on his face as we rode through the elk herd. Funny boy!

Today the sun is shining and the sky is so blue. I love it. It's a nice break from the mounds of snow that have been piling up. But is it much more beautiful to see the snow against a blue sky. I am so ready for spring. I love when the weather warms up and the flowers and trees begin to bloom.

In the mean time, Richard likes to use him little lawn mower as a snowblower. He follows me, or Chris, around while we do snow removal. I missed getting a great picture, but I'll try again on the next snow storm.

Hannah is getting around really well. She loves screaming and having Richard scream back. She has become so aware of her surroundings and looks for Richard, Chris, or myself if we leave the room. She tries to open drawers in her room to get the toys out and if fully content to sit in her room and play with all the toys. Hannah is the best little girl! I love her so much.

Richard has been peeing in the snow lately. I figure it's a step in the process. At least he is staying dry more. And he only does it in the snow at home. The other day I said he needed to go in the potty because he is a big boy. Richard responded, "I not big, I teeny, tiny."

A couple of days ago Chris was in the garage putting new tires on his Bronco II. He has a second "parts" truck that Richard has claimed as his own. The tires were off that truck, too. As Chris was working on the truck Richard exclaimed, "Hey, that's not nice." When Chris questioned him Richard replied, "Those are my tires." (That Chris had put on his truck.) Richard has been fascinated in tires since he was tiny. He is so funny

While I've been typing this the kids have been playing in their room. I went to check on them and found that Richard had gone Picaso on his sister. I've added the photos. After I got after him, I laughed while I went to get the camera.

Now Brady is here and they are playing basketball. They are crazy boys!

This has been a long few weeks. I am trying to potty train Richard and he is very stubborn. I finally let him go in the snow out back yesterday and he loved it! We have even bribed him with a trip to Disneyland and that worked for about a day. I'll just keep trying until he's ready. He loves wearing big boy underwear and doesn't want a diaper so I know he's on his way.

Richard is doing really well going to nursery. He enjoys coloring, singing, and playing toys with the other kids. He also loves going to Jaxon's house. They are good buddies. Richard also loves playing with his cousins, especially Bo and Brady. They are the three musketeers, very mischevous and they have a lot of fun!

Hannah is a beautiful little girl. She is so happy all of the time and loves to play with Richard and her Daddy. She is quite the flirt when young guys are around. (Uh oh!) She is getting around really well, reaching for things and scooting on her belly and bum. I think every day will be the day she crawls; not yet, though. She is a lot of fun.

We have had so much snow this year. I cannot believe it! I'd let Richard go play in it, but I'm afraid I'd lose him, the snow is almost as deep as he is tall. We finally broke down two weeks ago and bought a snowblower-I'm so glad we did because most of our snow has come since then. We had to drive to Sears in SLC since everyone else had sold out for the season. It's been beautiful, cold, and unbelievable.

All in all, we are happy and healthy. Chris is enjoying his job as Head Chef and culinary arts instructor at the OWATC. I love being a Mom and have been doing Real Estate from home. We are still madly in love with each other and have so much fun with the kids. We are so blessed!